Is This Animal Cruelty?

UCDVet

My neighbours downstairs have a dog. I don't know much about dogs, so I'm not sure if this is normal/cruel or what not. But anyway - both the people upstairs work full-time. M-F they are gone from like 8:30am until 6pm.

The poor dog is left all alone and it barks/cries and bangs (I'm assuming it's locked in a small kennel, or maybe it's pushing against a door?) all day. I mean, as soon as they leave, it starts and it will go for hours, probably until it's exhausted, then rest long enough to start again for a few hours more. It will do this all day, every day, when it's left alone.

Once they get home, the dog is happy and quiet.

Is it selfish/cruel it keep a dog locked up/alone when it's obviously miserable all day just so they can come home and have a cute dog? I'm not sure if I should report them to someone or if this is normal for dog owners to do?

gobnaitolunacy

You're a vet, you work it out.

celticcrash

Could you not tell your neighbours that the dog is going mental while their at work and that the dog is a noise pollution.
If they dont do something about it report them to the RSPCA.
Yes what they are doing is cruel.

UCDVet

celticcrash wrote: »

Could you not tell your neighbours that the dog is going mental while their at work and that the dog is a noise pollution.
If they dont do something about it report them to the RSPCA.
Yes what they are doing is cruel.

I have spoken with them about it. I figured they might not be aware of how upset the dog was when they left. They seemed convinced it was normal and that the dog would get used to being alone.

Still - I don't think there is much they can do; short of quitting one of their jobs or getting rid of the dog.

UCDVet

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

You're a vet, you work it out.

I'm not a vet.

Death and Taxes

UCDVet wrote: »

I have spoken with them about it. I figured they might not be aware of how upset the dog was when they left. They seemed convinced it was normal and that the dog would get used to being alone.

Did you explain it was your professional opinion as a vet (albeit from UCD):D

celticcrash

Dog or pup its still cruel to lock a dog in everyday. Even if it is a pup,it wont get used to been locked in.

MJ23

Try talking to those stupid people again.

flutterflye

UCDVet wrote: »

My neighbours downstairs have a dog. I don't know much about dogs, so I'm not sure if this is normal/cruel or what not. But anyway - both the people upstairs work full-time. M-F they are gone from like 8:30am until 6pm.

Are they upstairs or downstairs?

I don't think it's legally animal cruelty, but it's the reason that shelters won't give you a dog if you work full time and there's no one at home during the day.

ScumLord

Yes it's cruelty, I don't think people that live in small apartments should have dogs. They just don't have the space or time needed to dedicate to a dog if both of them are working full time.

hooradiation

Pretty much all dogs suffer from separation anxiety, they literally don't grasp the concept of "I'm leaving you now, but I will be back" unless they're trained to.

Speak to neighbours, there are ways to train the dog to cope with this.

And show some goddamn tact when doing so, like dogs themselves their owners often need to be handled.

barbiegirl

There are a number of things that can be done to make the dog happier, such as a nice long walk in the morning, and another at night, toys such as Kongs that give them something to do and keep them entertained. You can also hire someone to walk the dog during the day. A tired doggie won't be making all this noise. It is possible to keep a happy dog in an apartment, BUT it needs work and dedication.

MistyCheese

Oh I wouldn't agree with this at all, personally. I have two dogs and when my sister first got sick I had to leave them in the flat on their own for many hours at a time. I felt absolutely terrible but I didn't have much of a choice - I had to be with my sister.

At least two dogs have each other for company, unlike your neighbours dog, This dog is surely left unable to pee for nine and a half hours. Unless your neighbours are okay with him pissing indoors.

él statutorio

ScumLord wrote: »

Yes it's cruelty, I don't think people that live in small apartments should have dogs. They just don't have the space or time needed to dedicate to a dog if both of them are working full time.

In general I'd agree with you but like everything there can be exceptions.

You can keep a dog in an apartment but it takes a lot of work and effort on the owners part. They need to have the right type of dog and need to be disciplined into doing daily walks (at a minimum).

Friends of mine did it (they and dog have since moved to the US) and they organised a dog walker to collect the dog on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week (they'd do a monster hike themselves at the weekends). It's an older Labrador so it's a touch on the lazier side.

The problem is that most people won't commit to that level of commitment. Me included, that's why I have 2 cats.

UCDVet

flutterflye wrote: »

Are they upstairs or downstairs?

I don't think it's legally animal cruelty, but it's the reason that shelters won't give you a dog if you work full time and there's no one at home during the day.

Sorry - I'm a bit scatter-brained. Downstairs

HeyThereDeliah

what age is the dog?

The barking would drive me mad if I had to listen to it all day.

gurramok

As said it is cruelty, a dog needs another dog or human for company. For this reason people working full time should not be allowed to have any animal, exception being if they had 2 dogs instead of one.

My neighbour has 2 dogs, always leaves in the hall when away. The hall door is glass with a side panel where you can see in so the dogs can see out onto the road, at least they can watch things going by to pass the time.

spank_inferno

Yes it's indeed cruel.

I dare say the owners consider the animal little more than furniture.

Mousewar

I friggin hate people who decide 'Oh let's get a dog, one of those small ones that don't need walking. It'll be perfect because fat chance we'll ever be around to look after it or stop it howling like a slowly dying circus clown.'

You should have to pass a test to get a dog. One that uncovers whether you're a selfish a-hole or not.

WoollyRedHat

UCDVet wrote: »

I'm not a vet.

Damn right you're not! My little Charlie hasn't walked the same ever since I sent him to you! His bark is ****ed up too, what's that about!

tin79

UCDVet wrote: »

I'm not a vet.

I hear ya buddy people always think I am made out of tin.

Ush1

How long have you been a vet?

flutterflye

Oh I hear you're a vet?

Tom_Cruise

I think the proper approach is to inform all the animal welfare organisations of the cruelty that is happening, they will then set up camp outside the house until the animal abuse stops.

Fr_Dougal

You should burn down their house.